Purple Rock Cress Plant Care

Purple Rock Cress (Aubrieta thessala) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Aubrieta genus. Purple Rock Cress is native to southeastern Europe and Western Asia.

Purple Rock Cress displays a low mat-forming growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Purple Rock Cress produces showy purple, pink, or blue flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Purple Rock Cress every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Purple Rock Cress thrives in full sun to part shade.

Aubrieta thessala tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Purple Rock Cress prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Purple Rock Cress to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Purple Rock Cress every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining, sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Purple Rock Cress is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Purple Rock Cress can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Purple Rock Cress while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Purple Rock Cress is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Purple Rock Cress can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to purple rock cress plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Purple Rock Cress is susceptible to aphids, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Purple Rock Cress grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Purple Rock Cress is native to southeastern Europe and Western Asia. In cooler regions, grow Purple Rock Cress as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.